Didcot Town kept pace with the early leaders in the British Gas Business Division 1 South & West after Michael Bartley’s double strike earned them a 2-1 victory at Winchester City.

Bartley and Ashley Vine both squandered chances to open the scoring before the hosts took the lead in the 25th minute against the run of play.

Sam Lockyer’s free-kick was pushed onto the post by Didcot goalkeeper Michael Watkins and into the path of Carl Foster, who made no mistake.

It took 15 minutes for Didcot to reply when Bartley headed in his first at the far post on 41 minutes.

And the big striker got the winner on the hour, firing through a crowded penalty spot to the delight of the visiting supporters.

Brett Williams almost salvaged a point for bottom club Winchester, but Watkins pulled off a terrific save to deny them a draw.

Bracknell Town’s awayday blues continued with a 4-0 hammering at a physical Beaconsfield SYCOB.

Robins started brightly, but Beaconsfield struck after 18 minutes when a long kick from the goalkeeper was flicked on by Jack Jeffries and Craig O’Conner struck the ball home past the despairing dive of Tom Taylor.

It was 2-0 eight minutes later when Paul Brett headed home from Stuart Swift’s free-kick before Bracknell midfielder Connor Hamilton limped off injured following a robust challenge.

Seven minutes after the break it was 3-0 as Mick Swaysland bagged the first of his two goals when Adrian Sear headed the ball into his path and he beat Taylor with ease.

Minutes later Bracknell’s Keith Newby saw a straight red following his late challenge. Sear and Swaysland then combined again in the 75th minutes for Beaconsfield’s fourth of the afternoon.

Sam Rea struck late on to earn Thatcham Town a point at home to Andover, who were reduced to nine men in the closing minutes.

The first half was a very even affair, with Stefan Brown going closest for the home side, only to see his header flash just over the bar.The visitors took the lead on 57 minutes when Stuart Gates struck a curling shot from 20 yards past Paul Strudley.

The Blues waited until four minutes from time to level things up, and Rea duly obliged when he met Sean Cook’s cross, before both Steve Boston and Bobby Swayne saw red for the visitors.

Soggy Maidenhead United missed the chance to go top of the Blue Square South when their tie at home to Newport County was abandoned at 3-3 on Friday night.

The Magpies led 2-1 at the break through Dale Binns and Ashley Nicholls, as the rain lashed down.

Manager Johnson Hippolyte and opposition manager Derek Ohren both agreed referee Anthony Coggins made the right decision to call a halt to proceedings following three comical second-half goals.

Magpies goalkeeper Shane Gore slid past the ball to allow Danny Rose to equalise, before Richard Pacquette stormed through a puddle for Maidenhead’s third, only for Paul Hall to level things up.